The debate on the admission of Kerla II had once again become heated. Assembled here in this vaulted chamber sat the representatives of hundreds of planets, the most dignified body in the Federation. Right now, they behaved a little less august. The Speaker of the Federation Council rose at his podium, banging his gavel. "Order. Order in the chamber!" he shouted.

Once the council members settled down, Ambassador T'Pel of Vulcan stood at her seat, smoothed her clothes and asked for recognition. "If it please the assembly, the Vulcan government feels it is the historic impetus of the Federation to admit new members. It is through diversity that the Federation gains its strength. Kerla II fits the criteria set down in the Charter…"

"Is that your position, T'Pel?!" the Tellarite Ambassador, Topa, shouted as he jumped to his feet. "The Kerla should be admitted because it is the mission of the Federation to admit new members? That strikes me as circular logic." Topa was baiting T'Pel, something he liked to do whenever he could. The other delegates sat back to watch the debate unfold.

"Quite the contrary," she replied. "Kerla II deserves admission because of what it has to offer the Federation." T'Pel didn't rise to the insult. She never did.

Topa continued. "Need I remind you of their historic ties with the Orions?" Some delegates murmured their agreement. "They have given safe harbor to Orion Raiders, their capital hosts a thriving black market, they sold…"

"It is precisely because of their ties to the Orions that they should be admitted." It was T'Pel's turn to interrupt. "It is because they are kept outside the Federation that they must turn to the Orions. There is an old Vulcan proverb…"

"They are a planet of thieves!" Topa railed. At that, the hall erupted in a new wave of argument.

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